Hethel-backed Lotus have launched their new car for the 2013 Formula One season – the first team to do so.

The E21, developed at the team’s Enstone headquarters, has a redesigned livery – but is likely to retain most of its technological secrets until the start of winter testing in Jerez on February 5.

The E21 has also retained the stepped nose of the E20, despite this year’s regulations allowing teams more room to remove a design quirk considered by most as ‘ugly’.

However, it may be Lotus are biding their time before revealing the front of the car they aim to race with at the season opener, in Australia on March 17.

Meanwhile, the Norfolk marque has also confirmed Davide Valsecchi as reserve driver for the new season.

The Italian was GP2 champion last year – Formula One’s recognised feeder series – and has also spent time with Hingham’s Caterham outfit, as a part of the F1 team’s test driver line-up and with their Caterham Racing GP2 team.